Vending machine



Sept. 19, 1933.

M. H. Rlcl-.rARnsoN VENDING' CHINE Filed April 12, 1930 iShOBtS-Sh'eet 1 Sept. 19, 1933. M H. RICHARDSON VENDING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 j a" @ma Haz-@@3552 Sept. 19, 1933 M. H. RICHARDSON VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheecs--Shee'cI 3 Filed April 12. 1930 fr: Se a Sept. 19, 1933. M. H.- RICHARDSON VENDING MAGHINE- Filed April 12'I 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 `Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES VENDING MACHINE Myron H. Richardson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Advance Machine Company, Chicago,

corporation of Illinois Ill., a

Application April 12, 1930. .Serial No. l443,650

14 Claims. (Cl. B12-67) This invention relates to improvements in vending machines in which the articles are vended from the original package and is particularly adapted, though not necessarily limited in its use,

for vending cigars, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide improved means whereby the article to be delivered will be clearly visible while in the machine and the revenue stamp upon theoriginal package ywill also be clearly visible.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this character having a single delivery station, adjacent which one of the supplies or containers is arranged, and improved means for automatically shifting the first container after it has been emptied, out. of such position and for automatically positioning the other container adjacent such station in the absence of articles in the rst container.

A further object is to provide an improved shiftable support forrreceiving and holding two original containers, one in advance of the other, and improvedvmeans controlled by the articles in one of the containers for automatically causing the ejector to shift the said support.V n

A further object is to provide improved means for formingV a closure for one of the containers and `a support for the articles therein while the articles are being delivered rfrom the other container. Y Y

To the attainment `of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation taken from the rear of the machine and with the rear of the casing removed.

- Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure 6, with parts omitted.-

Figure 4 is a detail perspective View of the ejector mechanism.

Figure 5'is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the machine, showing the parts in one position. Y

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the parts in another position.

5 Figure 7 is a view taken on line 7-7, Figure 5,

with parts omitted.

Figure 8 is a view of Va portion trolled mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designates generally acasing of any desired size and configuration and is pro- 60 vided with a delivery outlet 11 in which may be arranged baffles 12 se as to prevent the insertion of a tool or implement into the machine through the delivery opening.

Arranged within the casing so as to extend horizontally thereacross and at any suitable height is a platform or support 13 which terminates short of one wall of the casing (see Figure 5) adjacent the outlet openingrll to permit the articles to be delivered into the latter.

Slidably mounted upon the support 13 is an ejector 14 having a body portion 15 which slides upon the support 13. Carried by the body portion 15 is a member 16 which is adjustably secured in position by means of a bolt and slot construction 17-18, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. v

The ejector is adapted to bereciprocated in any suitable manner, preferably from a rock shaft 19, which is givenits motion by means of a suitable check controlled mechanism V20 having an operating handle 21, the shaft 19 being connected to the ejector by means of crank arms 22 which are connected with an arm 23, the latter in turn being connected to a member 24 that is pivotally connected as at 25 to arms or projections 26 that are secured to or preferably formed integral with the body portion 15 of the ejector so that when the shaft 19 is rocked, the ejector 14 will be reciprocated upon the support 13.

The check controlled mechanism forms no part of the present invention as any suitable check controlled mechanism may be used for the purpose. Suiiice it to say that there is a check carrying disc 27 having a coin lseat 28 to receive the coin inserted into the opening 29 in the front of the machine. When the proper coin is inserted, the shaft 19 will be rocked and the coin will be delivered into the machine, as is usual in devices of this character. .A

A partition 30 is pivotally connected byV one end of the coin conas at 31 preferably to a point adjacent'the top of the casing 10 and is located approximately 105 Vmidway of the width of the casing 10 and passes the front upon one of the walls of the casing 10. The support 34 is spaced above the support 13 and these supports 13-34 extend from opposite walls of the casing and preferably overlap for a short distance to form a space into which the ejector 14 reciprccates and also a space through which the articles 35 and 36 will be delivered. Carried by the partition 30 and on opposit sides thereof are holders or brackets 37-38 for respectively supporting frames 39-40 into which frames original containers 41-42 are respectively placed. The containers are open at their bottoms as shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6, and any suitable means may be provided for supporting the containers within the respective holders, such as spring clips 43-44, which are adapted to engage under the edges of the original packages, thereby supporting 'the original packages 41-42 for swinging movement with the partition 30.

The holder 40. and the container 42 are so arranged that when the parts are in the position shown in Figures 2 and 5, the partition or support 34 will form a closure for the container 42 and thereby prevent the articles therein from being delivered therefrom while the articles are being vended from the container 4l.

When the supply of articles has been exhausted from the container 41, the parts will be moved from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 6, so as to move the open end of the container 42 into a position away from the support 34 so as to permit the articles 36 to drop upon the support 13. This may be accomplished in any desired or suitable manner. A simple and eicient manner will now be described.

In the container 41 is arranged a weight 45 having a projection 46 extending laterally therej from and in the container 42 is a weight 47.

These weights serve as a means for assisting in feeding the articles from the containers.

Pivotally connected to the partition 30 as at 48 is a yoke or bail 49 which projects for a ccnsiderable distance beyond the partition and the cross member of the yoke moves in a slot or guide 50 in a member 51. This slot is provided with a recess 52 communicating therewith adjacent one end thereof, and with a similar recess 53 communicating with the slot 50 adjacent the other end of the slot so that the body portion of the yoke or bail 49 will be adapted to enter either one of the recesses 52-53, according to the position of the partition 30, and lock the latter against movement.

A spring 54 is provided which tends normally to move the yoke or bail 49 in a direction to enter the slots 52-53.

Therefore, it will be seen that when the yoke is in the position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the partition 3G will be locked so as to maintain the parts in the position shown in Figure 5.

` When, however, the yoke or bail 49 is shifted so as to move the same out of the recess 53 and into the slot 50, the partition 30 maybe moved from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 6. Y

Any suitable means may be provided for thus unlocking and shifting the partition 30. A simple and efcient means embodies a lever 55 pivotally supported upon the yoke 49. The Ylever is provided with kan arm 5.6 and a projection 57 is provided upon the member 51 to stand between the lever 55 and the arm 56 to limit the swinging movement thereof about its point of pivotal connection with the bail or yoke 49. i

The arm 56 is so arranged (see Figure 4) that it will normally be out of the path of movement of the member 16 connected with the ejector 14, when the latter is moved to the left in Figure 4, but when the bail or yoke 49 is released or moved out of the recess 43, by a depression of the lever 55, and which lever will then rock upon the projection 57, the member 16 will then contact with the end of the arm 56 and move the partition 30 from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 6. As the partition and lever 55 are being moved rearwardly by the member 16, the projection 46 on the weight 45 will maintain the arm 56 in a position to be engaged by the member 16 until the yoke or bail 49 is in position to enter the recess 52 in the member 51. The yoke, under the innuence of the spring 54 will then drop into the recess 52, and a notch 58 in the lever 55 will then be in a position to receive the projection 57 and will co-operate with the recess 52 to hold the parts locked in the position shown in Figure 6.

When it is desired to reset the partition 30, the yoke 49 is raised out of the recess 52 and at the same time the notch 58 is moved out of engagement with the projection 57, at which time the partition may be swung forwardly until the yoke 49 enters the recess 53.

It will therefore be manifest that the swinging of the partition 30 and the positioning of the containers 41-42 iscontrolled by the operation of the ejector.

In order` to automatically position the lever 55 and the armf56 so that the arm will .be engaged by the member 16 on the ejector to shift the partition when the supply of articles in the container 41 is exhausted,the lateral extension 46 in the weight 45- is provided.

The normal position of the lever 55 and arm 56 when the container 42 is in a position to deliver articles, is as shown in Figure 5, that is with the arm 56 elevated out of the path of movement of the member 17 so that the ejector 14 may be reciprocated freely and successively deliver the articles 35 from the container 41. When, however, the last article has been delivered from the container 41 the extension 46 on the weight 45 will drop down on to the lever 55 and will rock about its pivotal connection with the bail 49, thereby lowering the arm 56 so that the end thereof will be in the path of the next movement of the member 16A on the ejector 14.

The parts will then be moved into the position shown'in Figure 6 and the ejector will reciprocate beneath the weight 46 to engage and successively deliver the articles 36 from the container 42 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 6.

A deflector 59 may be provided for deflecting the articles intothe delivery outlet.

`It will therefore be manifest that when the two containers are placed into the machine and supported by the partition 30, and the parts positioned as shown in Figure 5, the ejector 14 may be reciprocated and the arm 56 of the lever 55 will be in a position that it will not be engaged by the member 16 on the ejector. At the same time the open end of the container 42 will be positioned over the support or partition 34, the latter forming a closure for the container. When the articles are exhausted from the container 4l the projection 46 on the weight 45 will rock the lever 55 about its pivot to position the end of the arm 56 in the path of movement of the member 16, and at the same time the bail or yoke 49 will be rocked out of the recess 53 upon thefulcrum formed by the projectionl 57 of the member 51.

When the ejector. 14is then moved the member 16 will engage the arm 56 and shift the partition 30 until the bail 49 stands above the recess 52 of the slot 50, the lever 56 being held against movement about its point of pivotal connection with the bail 49'by the engagement of the projection 46 with the lever and the lower end ofV thel lever will move over the projection 57.

The articles 36 will then be successively delivered upon the platforinor support 13 when the ejector .14 is retracted (s'ee Figure 6) to be successively deliveredfrom the machine.

The member 16 is adjustably connected to the ejector 14 by the bolt and slot connection 17-18 in order to properly time the mechanism` and to cause the member 16 to engage the arm 56 at the proper time in the cycle of operation of the mechanism.

`When the articlesA drop upon the support or platform 13 they will engage and depress an arm 60 (see Figure 5) which is connected by means of a link 61 to a rock shaft 62 having an arm 63, the latter being connected with a member 64 havingv a portion 65 normally positioned in the path of movement of the seat 28'in the check carrying disc 27 (see Figure 8) so that in the absence of an article upon the support 13 the member 64 will not be shifted to Withdraw the portion 65 to permit the check or coin to be delivered from the check seat 28 when the latter is inverted. v

When, however, the article does depress the arm 60, the arm 63 will be rocked against the tension of a spring 66 to withdraw the portion 65 thereof and permit the coin to be delivered into the machine.

This portionof the coin controlled mechanism forms no part of the presentinvention, but is simply described in order to give a complete de-' scription of the operation of the machine.

Obviously, any other form of holders 39-40 may be provided for the containers 41-42 and any suitable means may be provided for connectingthe containers to the partition.

With this improved machine it will be manifest that the articles will not only be delivered from the original package, but a plurality of packages may be arranged in the machine to be automatically shifted and positioned by the control of the articles in one of the containers, so that when the articles are exhausted from the last referred toi container, both of the containers will be shifted so as tol positionthe articles from the other container at the delivery station to be delivered by the subsequent operations of the ejector.

The shifting of the partition is controlled by the operation of the ejector and the connection of the ejectorwith the partition is controlled by the articles in one of the containers.

It will also be `further manifest that the article to be` vendedor to be immediately delivered upon the operation of the machine will be visible through a window oropening 67 in the front of the machine, and the original containers together with the revenue stamps thereon willr also be visible through the window or sight opening 32, the window 67 being arranged adjacent the platform'or support 13 so that the articlemayy be viewed therethrough as it rests upon the' platform or support 13 in advance of the ejector 14.

While the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within `the scope-of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention;

What is claimed as new is:-

1. In a vending machine, a'delivery station, a support mounted to swing forwardly and backwardly on a horizontal pivot, means for holding a plurality of supplies of articles upon the support, to be separately and successively dispensed from the respective said supplies, an ejector adjacent said station, normally inactive means for causing the said ejector to shift said support about its pivot to position either one or the other of the supplies that the articles therein may be successively delivered by said ejector, and means for automatically setting said normally inactive vmeans into an active position.

2. In a vending machine, a delivery station, a support mounted to swing about a horizontal pivot, means for holding a plurality of supplies of articles in their original containers upon the support to be separately and successively dispensed from said containers, an ejector adjacent said station, positively operating means for swinging the support about said pivot to position either one or the other of the supplies that the articles therein may be successively delivered by the ejector, means for positively locking the support in each of its adjusted positions, said'locking means embodying a locking member pivotally connected with the support, and stationary means with which the locking means co-operates.

3. In a vending machine, a delivery station, a

, shiftable support, means for holding a plurality of supplies of articles in their original containers upon the support, to be separately and successively dispensed from said containers, an ejector adjacentV said station, means responsive to the operation of the ejector for shifting said support to position either one or the other of the supplies that the articles therein may be successively delivered by said ejector, means embodying a locking member bodily movable with the support for locking the latter in each of its adjusted positions, and means controlled by the articles in one of said supplies for unlocking the support in one of the positions of the latter.

li. In a vending machine, a delivery station, a support mounted for swinging movement upon a horizontal pivot, means for holding a supply of articles in their original container on each side of the support, said support adapted to be positioned that'the articles in one supply will be delivered directly fromthe container, and means whereby the ejector will automatically and positively shift the-support to move theempty container out off the way and the other container into a position that the articles therein will be successively delivered by the ejector.

5. In a vending machine, a delivery station, a support mounted for swinging movement upon a horizontal pivot, means for holding a supply of articles in their original container on each side of the support, said support adapted to be positioned that the articles in one supply will be dee livered directly iromthe container, normally inactive means for positively shifting the supportjto move the empty container out of the way and the other container into a position that the articles therein will be successively delivered by 'the ejector, and means controlled by the articles in one of said containers and operating directly upon said normally inactive means to position the latter in an active position to co-operate with the ejector to shift the support.

6. In a vending machine, a delivery station, a support mounted for swinging movement upon a horizontal pivot, means for holding a supply of articles in their original container on each side of the support, said support adapted to be positioned that the articles in one supply will be delivered directly from the container, and means adapted to be setas the last article is dispensed from one of said containers for positively shifting the support by the operation or" the ejector, to move the empty container out of the way and the full container into position that the articles Will be successively delivered therefrom upon subsequent operations of the ejector.`

7. A vending machine embodying a delivery station, a support mounted forswinging movement on a horizontal pivot, means for holding a plurality of separate supplies of articles upon the support, an ejector, means for reciprocating the ejector, a pivotally mounted member connected with said support, a shoulder connected with the ejector, means tending normally to move the said member out of the path of movement of the said shoulder, and means operable as the last article is dispensed from one of the said supplies for positioning said member in the path of said shoulder whereby the support will be shifted by a subsequent operation of the ejector.

8. A vending machine embodying a delivery station, a support mounted for swinging movement on a horizontal pivot, means for holding a plurality of separate supplies of articles upon the support, an ejector, means for reciprocating the ejector, a pivotally mounted member connected with said support, a shoulder connected with the ejector, means tending normally to move the said member out of the path of movement of the said shoulder, means operable as the last article is dispensed from one of the said supplies for positioning said member in the path of said shoulder whereby the support will be shifted by a subsequent operation oi the ejector, and means operatively connected with the last recited meansfor locking the said support in each of the positions into which it has been moved.

Y 9. A vending machine embodying a delivery station, a support mounted for swinging movement on a horizontal pivot, means for holding a plurality of separate suppliesl of articles upon the support, an ejector, means for reciprocating the ejector, a pivotally mounted member connected with said support, a shoulder connected with the ejector, means tending normally to move the said member out of the path of movement oi' the said shoulder, means operable as the last article is dispensed from one of the said supplies for positioning said member in the path of said shoulder whereby the support Will be shifted by a subsequent operation of the ejector, and means operatively connected with the last recited means for locking the said support in each of the positions into which it has been moved, the third recited means also operating to render the said `locking means inactive in one of the positions of said support.

10. A vending machine embodying a reciprocable ejector, a shiftable support for holding a plurality of separate supplies of articles to be vended, a locking member pivotally connected with the support for locking it in diierent adjusted positions, a controlling member connected with said locking member for movement .therewith and with respect thereto, a shoulder movable with the ejector, said controlling member being normally maintained out of the path of movement of said shoulder, and means whereby upon dispensing the last article from one of the said supplies the said controlling member Will be actuated to unlock rthe support and will be positioned in the path of movement of said shoulder so that upon a subsequent operation oi' the ejector the said support will be shifted.

11. A vending machine embodying a support mounted to swing upon a horizontal pivot, a locking member pivotally connected with thesupport, means with which said member co-operates to lock the support in different positions, a controlling member connected with said locking member for movement therewith and with respect thereto, a reciprocable ejector, and means operable as the last article is dispensed from one of the said supplies for actuating said controlling member to unlock said support and position said control member to be actuated by the operation of the ejector to shift said support.

12. A vending machine embodying a shiftable support, a locking member pivotally connected with the support, means with which said member co-operates to lock the support in diierent positions, a control member connected with the locking member for movement therewith and with respect thereto, a reciprocable ejector, and means operable as the last article is dispensed from one of the said supplies for actuating said control member to'unlock said support and position said control member to be actuated by the operation of the ejector to shift said support.

13. A vending machine embodying a shiftable support for holding a plurality of separate supplies of articles to be vended, a locking member pivotally connected with said support, means with which said locking member co-operates to lock the support in different adjusted positions, a control member pivotally connected with the locking member, a reciprocable ej ector, an abutment movable with the ejector, means tending normally to hold said control member out of the path of movement of said abutment, and means controlled by the articles in one of said supplies for shifting said control member to unlock said support and position the control member in the path of movement of said abutment to be engaged and bodily shifted thereby.

14. A vending machine embodying a shiftable support for holding a plurality of supplies of articles to be vended, a locking member pivotally connected with the support, a guide along whichV said locking member is movable, spaced shoulders behind which said member is adapted to be positioned for locking the support in different positions, a control member pivotally supported by said locking member, a reciprocable ejector, an abutment movable with saidejector, said control member being normally maintained out of the path of movement of said abutment, and means operating at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine for actuating said control member with respect to said locking member, to unlock the support and to position said control member in the path of movement of said abutment for shifting the support.

MYRON H. RICHARDSON. 

